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VCEDC Leads Broadband Initiative for Economic Development

Improved broadband coverage is critical for a robust tourism industry and to diversify and grow Vilas County’s economy to attract entrepreneurs, remote workers, and expanding business.

Vilas County Broadband Survey: We Need Your Help!

August 16, 2022

Improved broadband is essential for a robust tourism industry and to diversify and grow Vilas County’s economy to attract entrepreneurs, remote workers, and expanding businesses.

To evolve and strengthen Vilas County’s economy, the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) is focused on making Vilas County a broadband destination by working with the municipalities, Lac du Flambeau Tribe, Internet Service Providers, and County leadership to provide education, leadership, planning, support, and networking.

The VCEDC Broadband Workgroup is pleased to launch its Gen2 county-wide broadband survey to develop a detailed map of accurate broadband availability and coverage. This map will be used as a baseline to identify areas where broadband needs to be improved, provide accurate data for future grant applications, and demonstrate improvement.

Did you participate in last year’s broadband survey? Thank you if you did.

Click Here For Results

What kinds of information are we looking for in 2022?

  • What type of location? (Home, Business, Seasonal Home, Other)
  • Is broadband available? If yes, you will be directed to an automated broadband speed test, which will upload the results to our database.
  • Email address

The survey takes 2 minutes to complete. Please share this survey with your colleagues, friends, and family who reside or visit in Vilas County. Let’s get at least 5,000 responses!

Ensure you complete the survey from your Vilas County location to ensure accurate results.

Thank you!

Take Our Broadband Survey

Vilas County EDC Broadband in the News

December 15, 2020

Vilas County News Review

Economic Leaders Have High Hopes For 2021

December 15, 2020

The Lakeland Times

VCEDC Broadband Efforts 'Really Involved'

September 25, 2020

The Lakeland Times

Vilas County Board Hears 'Rural Rebound Presentation'

September 22, 2020

WXPR Radio

Vilas County Benefiting from ‘Brain Gain of Rural America’

September 17, 2020

WXPR Radio

With Broadband Comes Growth: Digital Infrastructure Spurs Company in Vilas Co.

Meet The VCEDC Broadband Workgroup

The VCEDC Broadband Workgroup leading the broadband initiative includes VCEDC Board Chairman Jim Tuckwell; VCEDC Board Member & President, Loss Mitigation Solutions, Bill Niemuth; VCEDC Executive Director Kathy Schmitz; VCEDC Board Member Noah Lottig; and, VCEDC professional volunteer; Vilas County IT Director Mike Duening.

Each of these individuals is assigned as a “Broadband Buddy” to the Vilas County towns and the Lac du Flambeau tribe, to ensure ongoing two-way communication and support for the towns as we work to help them develop their strategic plans:

Bob Egan

Kathy Schmitz

Plum Lake
Conover
Phelps
Lincoln

Bill Niemuth

Bill Niemuth

Boulder Junction
Manitowish Waters
Presque Isle
Winchester
Land O' Lakes

Jim Tuckwell

Jim Tuckwell

Lac du Flambeau
Arbor Vitae
Cloverland
St. Germain
Washington

Mike Duening

Eagle River

Noah Lottig

VCEDC Board Member


Blog Posts From The VCEDC

September 5, 2022

Wisconsin Counties Magazine


VCEDC featured in Wisconsin Counties Magazine

Read More

August 26, 2022

Congratulations to Charter Spectrum!


Congratulations to Charter Spectrum on the completion of their work to date in the Town of Lincoln and the Town of Washington.

Read More

August 16, 2022

Vilas County Broadband Survey: We Need Your Help!


Improved broadband is essential for a robust tourism industry and to diversify and grow Vilas County’s economy to attract entrepreneurs, remote workers, and expanding businesses.

Read More

August 5, 2022

Vilas County Broadband Expansion 8-5-22


Vilas County Broadband Expansion featured on NBC Newswatch 12

Read More

November 9, 2021

Vilas County Economic Development Corporation Selected to Participate in Broadband Discussion


VCEDC is selected to participate in the Broadband for Everyone Facebook Live panel discussion

Read More

November 7, 2021

Rural Broadband Live Event Nov 9


Broadband for Everyone. What will it take? Rural communities and underserved areas of cities both need affordable, reliable high-speed internet service.

Read More

August 16, 2021

VCEDC Broadband Professional Volunteer, Jonathan Sharp Featured in Milwaukee Journal


VCEDC Broadband Professional Volunteer, Jonathan Sharp, featured on the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Read More

June 9, 2021

Random List of Available Free WiFi


A random list of area businesses in Eagle River that we have learned provide free WiFi.

Read More

May 27, 2021

Starlink Public Beta in Vilas County


This information was compiled in February 2021 by Jonathan Sharp (VCEDC Broadband Committee member) who has been using Starlink since November 2020 and is based on his experience using it full time while working remotely.

Read More

February 25, 2021

Understanding Broadband


Broadband. This is the most crucial aspect of remote working. For many jobs, productivity and progress are directly tied to the availability and reliability of broadband. The ability to access broadband is the most important part of a remote workers “commute.”

Read More

Vilas County Broadband Resources

Wisconsin Public Service Commission – Broadband Expansion Grants and Resources
Broadband Now – Great resource for all things Broadband
Federal Communications Commission – Connect America Fund (CAF)
Remoters.Net – Information for Remote Working Professionals
USDA Reconnect Pilot Program – CAF III
Broadband USA Funding Opportunities – A database of Available Funds

Available Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Vilas County


Astrea Connect

AT&T

CenturyLink

Charter/Spectrum

ChoiceTel

Frontier Communications

Gogebic Range

HughesNet

SonicNet

Starlink

T-Mobile

Verizon

ViaSat

Do you live or work in Vilas County?

We need your input so we can improve your broadband:

Take Our Broadband Survey

Want to learn why Vilas County is one of the best places to live, work, and play?

Reach out to the folks at the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation today!

Contact Us

Want to learn why Vilas County is one of the best places to live, work, and play?

We can email you a PDF highlighting many of the wonderful aspects of our area.

Download this 8-page PDF article here: